Dees axe former skipper

The former Demons captain only managed two senior games this year and seven over the last four seasons, thanks to a serious foot injury that needed two operations.

Melbourne also cut ruckman Jake Spencer on Tuesday, along with Liam Hulett and rookie Mitch White.

Trengove was the No.2 pick in the 2009 draft and played 86 games in eight seasons with the Demons.

In 2012, new coach Mark Neeld made the controversial decision to make Trengove and Jack Grimes co-captains.

At 20, Trengove was the youngest captain in the game’s history and he stayed in the post for two seasons.

He suffered a navicular bone fracture in 2014 and missed all the 2015 season.

Trengove nearly joined Richmond at the end of 2014, but the injury meant the move did not go ahead.

He is a highly-respected figure at Melbourne and there was plenty of goodwill for his AFL comeback last season.

“He leaves having captained the club through some tough times and having provided genuine leadership to all his teammates, particularly the younger players coming through in recent times,” said Demons football manager Josh Mahoney.